Powder compacting subpress



Dec. ls, 1970 Filed sept. 4, 1968 P. VINSON POWDER COMPACTING SUBPRESS 4Shgets-Sheot l INVENTOR. /ww Myra# Dec. 8, 197V() P. vlNsoN i I l3,545,045

POWDER COMPACTING SUBPRESS Filed Sept. 4, 1968 4 Shee'fshSheet 2INVENTOR. P41/4 V//vfa/v Bffw/ Dec. 8, 1970 P. vlNsoN y POWDERCOMPACTING -SUBPRESS 4 Sheets-SheerI 13 Filed Sept. 4, 1968 5 INVENTORF401 l//'fm/ Dec. 8', 1970 P. vlNsON l POWDER COMPACTING sgBPREss Filedsept. 4, 196s 4 Sheets-Sheetdl I NVENTOR. Vla/10N PIM( 3,545,045 POWDERCOMPACTING SUBPRESS Paul Vinson, 10821 Meads Ave., Orange, Calif. 92667Filed Sept. 4, 1968, Ser. No. 767,540

Int. Cl. B03b 1]/00 U.S. Cl. 18--16.5 14 Claims ABSTRACT F THEDISCLOSURE The invention is a powder compacting press of the typewherein powder is fed into a die having a cylindrical bore, and is thencompressed by punches that move downwardly and upwardly into the bore ofthe die. For making toroidal ferrite cores, a core rod is providedcentrally positioned in the die and the powder is compacted in anannulus around the core rod. The press of this invention is constructedas a subpress, that is, an attachment which can be mounted on aconventional commercial press which may be mechanical, hydraulic,pneumatic or electrical. The subpress is constructed to provide anintegral member having a portion line bored to receive aligned rams. Thesubpress is mounted so that its rams are driven by the rams of the mainpress. A die plate is positioned between the aligned bores of thesubpress. The tooling is carried directly by the rams of the subpress.The subpress has no upper or lower platen or guide pins for the rams.The subpress is of the type employing upper and lower punchescooperating with the die. Holding means are provided for the punchesproviding for horizontal float while setting up, that is, while aligningthem with the die and improved means are provided for locking thepunches in position after alignment when setting up. The lower punchescontinue to float horizontally after setup, maintaining their alignmentby remaining in and seeking the center of the die while the upperpunches are locked both horizontallyand vertically after setup.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention resides in improvements in thefield of automatic powder compacting presses or machines, Presses ofthis type are for the purpose of manufacturing cores or beads of ferriteor glass or any other powdered metal or comparable substance. The pressmay be used for the purpose of manufacturing memory cores which arenormally toroidal, or pills or other comparable products.

Presses of the type described may be built to embody extremely accurateand precise characteristics and capability where it is necessary toproduce a product subject to extremely close tolerances as to thickness,density, etc. Such a press is disclosed in the prior application Ser.No. 450,427 filed Apr. 23, 1965, now abandoned. Aside from the press ofthe prior application, there are available commercially, powdercompacting presses which are capable of producing products by compactingof powder. These machines or presses characteristically are of a typeembodying a relatively massive upper platen, a similar lower platen andan intermediate platen carrying the die. These relatively massiveplatens are conventionally guided by rather large and cumbersome guidepins. The tooling for machines of this type as will be understoodordinarily comprises tools, that is, punches which are relativelyminiature in size. The setting up of the tooling in the machine or pressof course involves positioning and holding the tooling with precision.Thus, the setting up of this miniature tooling in a massive machine asdescribed becomes a very critical problem inasmuch as the tooling is inan area or position that is difficult both to reach and to see.

Patented Dec. 8, 1970 ice It is a primary object of this invention toprovide and make available an attachment which is the form of a subpresswhich can be inserted into or attached to and used with a main press ofthe type described above which may be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumaticor electrical. The main press furnishes the power and timing foroperating the attachment, that is the subpress. The subpress is aself-contained unit without upper and lower platens and without guidepins or stems, and it includes a powder dispenser and provision forcomplete tooling to product whatever item may be desired. The nature ofthe subpress is such as to achieve and realize a number of specificobjectives. Principal among these is that the subpress is constructedfrom an integral metal member and yoke shape which can be line-bored andline-honed to provide for an upper and lower ram on a common center linewith dead true alignment. As stated, upper and lower platens and guidepins are eliminated. The tools are carried by the rams themselves andaccordingly center line thrust is applied directly to the tools withmore acurate movement but with less pressure for pressing by reason ofthe elimination of much of the friction. The subpress of the inventionrealizes these objectives.

Another object of the invention is to make it possible to utilize acompletely inaccurate main press which may be in poor condition and outof alignment but yet with the subpress entirely satisfactory results canbe obtained.

A further object of the invention as to make it possible to provide abasis for standardization of tooling used in producing products such asmemory cores. Standard tools may be used in commercially known pressesand in the subpress of this invention. Ordinarily the tools are made ofcarbide and in conventional presses as described having upper and lowerplatens, tools (Le.) punches of considerable length are required. In thesubpress of this invention much shorter punches can be utilized with thebeneficial results that punches that have been used in the conventionalpresses and reduced in length can be satisfactorily used in the subpressof this invention down to .030 inch of carbide. In other words, toolscan be used in other presses and when too short for further use, can bereconditioned and used in the subpress of this invention and used untilthere is virtually no carbide remaining. By this means punch cost can bereduced by as much as 50%. The realization of this economic end is anobject of the invention.

Another object is to facilitate the setting up of tooling in the pressby making it easier to reach and see the tooling.

A further object is to provide improved holding means for the tools, toaid in setting up and to insure dead true alignment and centering of thetools. Various modified forms of means are provided to serve thisobject, particularly to lock the tools in position once aligned, withoutdisturbing the alignment.

Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawingswherein:

FIG. l is a front elevation of the subpress mounted in a commercialpress;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 2a is a detail view of a modification of the arrangement forlocking the upper punches;

FIG. 2b is a view of another modification of the means for locking theupper punches;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3a is a detail view of a modied form of locking the core rods;

FIG. 3b is a detail view of another modified form of means for lockingthe core rods;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the powder hopper;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded detail view illustrating the positioning of theupper punches;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the holders'for thelower punches and core rods;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are detail views illustrating the action of the upper andlower punches and core rods with respect to the die buttons; and

FIG. 10 is a detail view of the core rod bracket.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBPRESS Referring now more in detail to FIG.1 of the drawings, numeral 10 designates generally a press which may beof a known commercial type which may be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumaticor electrical. The press shown by way of example, is a mechanical typeand may be a press of the type manufactured by the Stokes Company.Numeral 12 designates generally the subpress of this invention. Thesubpress comprises an integral body made of a suitable material whichmay preferably be meenanite. The subpress has a back plate 14 which isrigidly secured to the front of the press 10 by screws 16 and 18.

As stated, the main press 10, by way of example, is a mechanical type.It has an upper ram and a lower ram 22. The upper ram 20 operatesthrough a guide block 24 secured to the front of the machine 10. Numeral26 designates an eccentric on a shaft 28 which is driven by themechanism of the press. The eccentric 26 operates within an eccentricopening or bore 30 in a member 32 having an extending lug 34 which isattached to the upper ram 20. As may be observed, rotation of the shaft28 operates to move the ram 20 upward in its guide 24. j

The lower ram 22 operates in a similar guide 40 secured to the front ofthe machine 10. On the ram 22 is a nut 42. Numeral 44 designates a leverpivotally mount-` ed on a shaft 46 and having a bifurcated end part 48'which straddles the lower ram 22 and bears against the nut 42. On thelower ram 22 is a coil spring 52, the upper end of which bears againstthe lever 44 and the lower end of which engages the spring retainer 54on the stem of the ram 22. Numerals l55 and 56 designate adjusting nutson a threaded part of the ram 22 for adjusting the lower ram extent orposition.

The subpress 12 has an upper ram 60 and a lower ram 62. The mounting ofthese rams in the subpress will be described presently in connectionwith FIG. 2. At the end of the upper ram 60 is a head 64 which isattached to the ram 20 of the press 10 by way of the tongue and groovejoint 66. The lower ram 62 of the subpress has a head 68 which isattached to the lower ram 22 of the machine 10 by way of the tongue andgroove joint 70.

The subpress embodies a powder hopper 71 for feeding powder to the diesin which the articles are formed which as explained above, may be pills,memory cores or toroidal form or other products. Numeral 74 designates alever mounted on a shaft 76 and which can swing laterally. It isconnected by a link 78 to the hopper assembly, the link 78 having anadjustable turn buckle in it. Link 78 connects to an arm 79 on thehopper 71. The main press is preferably, but not necessarily of thedouble acting type. The rams and arm 74 operate in a predeterminedseqence as will be described and this mechanism may be like that of Pat.No. 2,068,619.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the construction of the subpress 12 in greaterdetail. The body of the subpress 12 has forwardly extending parts 86 and88 leaving a space between them as may be seen in FIG. 2. These partsare line bored and line honed to provide perfect alignment for the upperand lower rams which operates in these bores. The upper portion 86 has abore 90 in which is a bushing 92 of suitable material within which theram 60 operates. The lower portion 88 has a bore 96 having a 4 similarbushing 98 in it and in which the lower ram 62 of the subpress operates.

THE UPPER RAM AND UPPER PUNCHES OF THE SUBPRESS It will be observed fromFIG. 2 that on the end of the ram 20 is a part 102 of smaller diameterhaving a disc or flange 104 on its end, these parts being received inslots 106 and 108 in the head 64. The upper ram 60 is tubular having abore 110 and its upper end is received in a bore 112 in the head 64. Itis attached to the head 64 by way of screws 114 and 116 the heads ofwhich are countersunk in the surface of the head 64.

Attached to the head `64 is an anti-rotation pin 120 which moves in abushing 122 received in a bore 124 in the body of the subpress 12.

The upper punches are carried by the upper ram 60. The manner in whichthe upper punches are held is illustrated more in detail in FIG. 6.Within the bore 110 of the ram 60 are two rods, 130 and 132, the upperends of which are received in bores 134 and 136 in an insert member 138in the upper end of the bore 110. On the ends of the rods or stems and132 are threaded portions 142 and 144 engaging in ther head 64 and bymeans of which the stems 130 and 132 can be vertically adjusted. Numeral133 designates a nozzle through which pressure can be automaticallyapplied to the interior of bore 110 for a purpose which will bedescribed presently.

At the lower end of the ram 60 it has bores 150 and 152 offset from thecenter, and these bores receive the shanks 154 and 156 of punch lockingmembers 158 and which are arcuate but having at inner sides which abutagainst each other to prevent rotation of either one its about its axis.The locking member 158 is shown in detail in FIG. y6. Provided in itboth its shank and its head part is a passageway 164 having a purposewhich will be described presently. The upper punches are designated bythe numeral 166 and 168 the upper punches 166 being shown in FIG. 6.Upper punch 166 is shown in detail in FIG. 8. It has three diametersincluding a head part 170,v

an intermediate diameter 172, and a smaller diameter 174. The punch hasa central bore 176 which receives the core rod las will be described indetail presently.

Running transversely across the bottom of the ram 60 is a rectilineargroove or slot 180. The heads of the upper punches 166 and 168 arereceived in this slot opposite the bores 150 and 152, being held by aretainer plate 182. The retainer plate 182 has radial slots 184 and 185which receive the intermediate diameters of the upper punches 166 and168, with the upper ends of these punches abutting the lower ends of theShanks of the locking members 154 and 156. As may be observed, the upperpunches are able to oat radially as will be described more in detailhereinafter for purposes of extremely precise centering alignment.Retainer plate 182 has openings '188 and 190 in it and it is attached tothe lower end of the ram 60 by screws 192 and 194. FIG. 2 illustratesthe manner in which the upper punches are held in position. As Will bedescribed more in detail hereinafter, after the upper punches 154 and156 have been aligned in the dies they are locked or clamped in positionby adjusting the screw threaded stems 142 and 144 to adjust the stems130 and 132 downwardly to press the locking or clamping members 158 and160 downwardly against the ends of the punches 166 and 168. Asexplained, the heads of these clamping members prevent them fromrotating relatively, so by the means described, the punches are lockedor clamped in aligned position with great precision. The technique ofsetting up the tooling, including the upper punches will be describedhereinafter.

Modified forms of means for clamping the upper punches are shown inFIGS. 2a, and 2b, which will be described presently.

THE DIE PLATEN ASSEMBLY Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, numeral 200designates the die platen. This platen is preferably made of hardenedand ground tool steel. It holds the die plate and die buttons as Lwillbe described. Numeral 202 designates a at-sided recess in the body ofthe sub-press 12. Fitting in this recess is a part 204 of the platen 200which has an extending part 206 which extends outwardly in a positionbetween the upper and lower rams of the subpress. The platen 200 issecured to the body 12 by means of dowel pins one of which is shown at208 fitting in a bore 210 in the body 12 and a bore 212 in the platen.Further attachment is by `way of screw 214 which threads into the part204 and which has a head 216. The screw 214 extends through a bore 218in the body 12, this bore having a counter-bore 220 and head 216 iscountersunk in this counter-bore.

The part 206 of the platen 200 has a bore 226 larger than the lower ramin which is received the upper end of the lower ram 62. Above thebushing 228 is the die plate 230 having bores 232 and 234 in which arethe dies or die buttons 236 and 238. The die 236 has a bore 242 and thedie 238 has a bore 244, these bores being of a size to receive thesmaller diameters of the upper and lower punches as will be describedpresently. See FIGS 8 and 9. The portion 206 of the platen 200 has abore 250 having in it a bushing 252. Extending through this bushing isthe stem 254 which mounts the powder feed hopper 71 as Will be describedpresently. On the n end of this stem is a nut 256. Numeral 257designates a container for the finished products which is underneath theramp at the end of the die plate 230.

THE LOWER PUNCH ASSEMBLY The lower punch assembly and the manner inwhich the lower punches are held is illustrated in detail in FIG. 7. Theupper end part of the ram 62 is cut off axially so as to besubstantially semi-cylindrical, presenting ilat surfaces 262 and 264 andhaving within it a straightsided slot as designated at 266. At the upperend of the ram 62 there is formed a channel designated at 268, this parthaving vertical side walls as shown. In the bottom of channel 268 areformed two slots 270 and 272 which receive the core rods as will bedescribed presently. Numeral 274 designates a slide member shaped to tinto the channel 268 and having at its forward end two slots 280 and 282which come into registry with the slots 270 and 272 when the member 274is in position in the channel 268. The member 274 also has asemi-spherical depression 286 in its upper surface for a purpose whichpresently will be described. Slide member 274 is moved into channel 268from the right looking at FIG. 7.

Numeral 292 designates a horseshoe-shaped member which is semi-circularin contour as shown, having a rectilinear cut-out 294 in its at side.This member has a hole in it as designated at 300 which is at the bottomof a semi-spherical depression 302 formed in the surface of it. Themember 292 has holes 304 and 306 in it whereby it can be attached to thetop end of the ram 62 by screws 310 and 312 which thread into holes 314and 316 in the top end of the ram 62.

INumeral 330 designates a semi-circular member having slots 332 and 334in it which come into registry with the slots in the member 274 and inthe bottom of the channel 268 when the parts are in assembledrelationship. It has two holes in it as designated at 336 and 338. Theparts 274, 292 and 330 are in overlying relationship lwhen assembled asmay be seen in FIG. 2, the parts being held in this relationship by thescrews 310 and 312. Between the member 330 and the member 292 is a coilspring 342 and a ball 344 which engages in the semi-spherical recess 302and hole 300. That is, it protrudes through the hole 300 sullciently tolit into the depression 286 in the member 274 to form a detent.

The two lower punches are designated at 350 and 352. These punches arelike the upper punches except that they are in a reverse position.Referring to FIG. 8, it will be noted that the punch 350 has threediameters including a bottom head 356, an intermediate diameter 358 andan upper diameter 360. It has a bore 362 of a size to receive the corerod as will be described presently. The lower punch 352 is similar.

It will be observed that the lower punches 350 and 352 are held in aposition in which the ends of larger diameter rest on the slide member274 with these ends in a position in the cut-out 294 of the member 292.The intermediate diameters of these lower punches are in the slots 332and 334 in the member 330.

' It will be observed that the slide member 274 is held by the detentprovided by the ball 344 so that it can be moved outwardly in thechannel 268 from underneath the lower punches permitting them to bedropped down o-r lowered Iwith respect to the dies as will be describedpresently. In setting up the tooling, slide 274 is removed. It may havea thickness of perhaps .050 so that this much vertical movement of thepunches is allowed when it is removed. The lower punches are centered,in setting up, by manually maneuvering them with a tweezer or toothpick, into the bores of the dies, to assure centering and thensupporting their heads, when slide 274 is reinserted, between it, andplate 330. With slide 274 in position, there is a slight vertical iloatin the punches, approximately .0001 inch.

CORE ROD HOLDER ASSEMBLY This assembly is best shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.10. Numeral 380 designates a plate in a position beneath the platen 200.Numeral 382 designates a stern extending through a bore 384 in the part88 of the body 12. This stem is threaded and it threads through athreaded bore 390 in the plate 380 for moving it. The plate 380 isguided by two upwardly extending stems 400 and 402 which extend intoguide bores 404 and 406 in the part 206. On the end of the stern 382 isa knurled adjusting knob 412. The stem 382 has an annular groove 413 init with bevelled sides as designated at 414. Numeral 416 designates alocking screw which is threaded into a bore 418 in the side of the part88. Lock screw 416 clamps a nylon slug against stem 382 locking it inplace after adjustment.

At the lower right-hand corner of the plate 380 it has a square-sidedcut-out as shown at 430. Positioned in this cut-out are a pair ofeccentric discs forming cams as designated at 432 and 434. These camsare journaled on a shaft 436 and are rotatable by manually operablehandles 440 and 442, see FIG. 2. It will be understood that the end ofthe plate 380 extends into a position in the slot or cavity 266 in theupper end of the lower ram 62. Above the cut-out 430 there is formed aledge 446. This ledge has bores in it receiving plungers forming camfollowers. One of these plungers being designated at 448 forming a camfollower for the cam 432. Numeral 452 designates a bracket attached tothe top of the end part of plate 380 by screws as shown and having anextending part 454 which is slotted, and the slots 455 and 457 receivethe stems of the core rods. See FIG. 10. The core rods are designated at460 and 462. See FIGS. 2, 8 and 9. These rods are in the form of stemsof a size to t with precision in the bores of the upper and lowerpunches, and having enlarged cylindrical end parts as designated at 464and 468. These end parts of the core rods t in between the ledge 446 ofthe plate 380 and the extending part 454 of the bracket 452, the ends ofthese core rods resting on the plungers 448 and 449 which as explained,form cam followers engaging the cams 432 and 434. The vertical positionof the plate 380 can of course be adjusted by adjusting the knob 412 andthe stem 382. It will be observed that the core rods 460 and 462 havehorizontal float in the bracket 452 until clamped. The plate 380 may beadjusted to a level at which the upper ends of the core rods are ilushwith the upper ends of the die buttons 236 and 238 (or slightly below)providing an annulus around the core rods to be illed with powder forforming a toroidal product. When this adjustment has been made and thecore rods are centered they are locked by rotating the cams 432 and 434so as to push upwardly on the cam followers 448 and 449 and thereby lockthe core rods by locking the cylindrical members 464 and 468 at theirlower ends. With respect to setting up the tooling, the technique as tothe lower punches and core rods will be described presently. FIGS. 3aand 3b show modified arrangements for locking the core rods which willbe described presently.

THE POWDER HOPPER ASSEMBLY The powder hopper or container is designatedat 71. It is a cylindrical container having a bushing 482 at the bottomwhich is mounted on the stem 254 for angular movement. It has an angularspout 484 at the bottom in which ts a tube 486 of plastic material orthe like. This tube ts into a delivery shoe member 488. This is ahousing having triangular sides and a flat bottom 500` having an opening502 through which the powder can be delivered to be received in thecavities of the die buttons 236 and 238 when the member 488 is movedover them. Numeral 510 designates a bifurcated leaf spring, thebifurcated ends of which engage in notches in the bottom plate 500 ofthe member 488 for urging it against the top surface of the die plate230. One of these end parts of the leaf spring is designated at 512. Atthe lower part of the hopper 71 it has an extending arm 79 which isconnected to the end of the link 78 previously described which in turnis connected to the end of arm 74. In operation, as will be describedpresently, at one point in the cycle the hopper 71 and its deliverymechanism is moved angularly to move the member 488 over the diecavities to fill them with powder and then the hopper mechanism isrotated back out of the way.

SUMMARY OF THE TECHNIQUE OF SETTING UI THE TOOLING IN THE SUBPRESS Themanner of setting up or installing the upper punches in the subpress hasbeen described in the foregoing. The rods or stems 130 and 132 arebacked oit to allow freedom of vertical movement of the locking members154 and 156 and the upper punches 166 and 168 themselves. The punchesare put in place manually, their heads sliding in the slot 180 at thebottom of the upper ram 60 and their intermediate diameters tting in theslots 184 and 185 in the plate 182 They then can be maneuvered by meansof a tweezers or probe until their smaller diameters drop into the diecavities as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. This assures precisioncentering or positioning of the upper punches and they are then clampedin the manner described by turning down the stems 130 and 132. It willbe observed that setting up the tooling is greatly facilitated in thatthe miniature tools are in a position where they can be seen visuallyand maneuvered or manipulated. This is true because the subpressembodies no upper or lower platen with cumbersome guide pins and thelike.

With respect to the preferred technique for setting up the lower punchesand core rods in the subpress, the following is the preferred procedure.The core rods are inserted into the lower punches. Then with thesubpress in an inverted position the lower punches and core rods arepositioned as described in the foregoing with the core rod stems inslots 270 and 272 of the lower ram and with the intermediate diametersof the lower punches in slots 332 and 334 of the plate 330. At this timethe slide member 274 is withdrawn to allow a limited amount of verticalfreedom of movement of the lower punches. They are then maneuvered ormanipulated by means of a tweezers or a probe until their smallerdiameters drop into the bores of the die buttons 236 and 238, assuringprecision centering. They are then supported in the manner described byreinserting the slide 274 into the position where it is held by itsdetent as described. l

At the time the lower punches and core rods are set up or installed, asdescribed, the core rods are positioned as described in connection withFIG. 3, that is with the core rods in the slots in the bracket 454 andthe heads of the core rods on the plungers 448 and 449. They are clampedby means of the cams 432 and 434 as described.

The position of the upper ram 60 and of the lower ram y62 can, ofcourse, be adjusted by adjustments provided on the main press 10. Theseadjustments include the nuts 55 and 56 associated with the lower ram ofthe main press 10, so that the position of the lower punches can beadjusted as desired,

OPERATION It will be appreciated that the subpress as described embodiescomplete tooling for making compacted products, such as pills or memorycores of the like. Complete accuracy is built into the subpress so thatit can be used with a commercial main press which is inaccurate or outof adjustment without disturbing the precision operation of thesubpress, The invention accomplishes the purpose of being able to make aset up of the tooling with precision despite the miniature size of thetooling.

The main press 10 is a conventional known machine which provides thedesired sequence of operation. The mechanism for providing the sequencemay be like that of the prior application referred to or may be similarto that of Pat. No. 2,068,619. A preferred sequence is one wherein thecycle of operations may be as follows. The lever arm 74 is moved to movethe hopper 71 and its discharge shoe 48 angularly to deliver powder overand into the bores in the die buttons 236 and 238. After lilling the diecavities, the hopper mechanism moves out of the way. The upper ram thendescends a predetedmined amount to compress the powder in the diecavities. The lower punches may be kept stationary, or the machine mayembody a movement whereby the lower ram moves upwardly so that the lowerpunches also exert a compacting eifect on the powder to be compressed.Prefverably, the core rods are set so that their ends are ush with or alittle `below the top ends of the die buttons 236 and 238. In thismanner a toroidal product is formed. The next movement in the sequenceis that the upper ram moves up lifting the upper punches. Then the lowerram moves upwardly so as to move the lower punches for ejecting theformed products from the die cavities. As the formed products are thusejected, the arm 74 again moves in a cycle so that the discharge shoe488 moves over the die buttons 236 and 238, pushing the formed productsoif the die plate 230 allowing them to slide down the rampon its endinto the container. At this time the die cavities are again filled withpowder and the cycle is repeated. When the upper ram lifts, pressure isautomatically applied through nozzle 133, which acts through thechannels 164 to blow out on powder collected in the bores of the upperpunches.

FIG. 2a shows a modified form of means for clamping the upper punches.This arrangement is particularly adapted to accommodate the apparatus torotary press tooling. Parts in FIGS. 2a and 2b, 3a and 3b thatcorrespond to previous embodiments are identified by referencecharacters comprising a corresponding number with distinguishing letter.In FIG. 2a an upper ram is shown at 60a having a bore 500. In this boreis a clamping rod similar to that of the previous embodiment. Number158a designates a similar clamping or locking member having a shank 501in a bore 503 of smaller diameter and a head 502which is engaged by thebeveled end of the rod or stern 130a. In the ram 60a is small bore 505in which is received a pin 507 extending from the head 502 of thelocking member 158:1 to prevent it from 9 rotation. The locking memberbears against the end or head of the upper punch 166a so that it can belocked by axial force exerted by the rod 138a Without the alignment ofthe upper punch being disturbed, its head being received in the retainergroove 180a.

FIG. 2b shows another modified arrangement. The ram is shown at 60b. Ithas an end part 512 of smaller diameter which is threaded and threadedonto this end part is an end cap 514 having a bore 516 in which is theupper punch 166b. The clamping or locking member is designated at 154bhaving a cylindrical part 517 received in a bore 518 in ram 60b andhaving an upper part 520 of larger diameter fitting in a bore 522 in theram and having a slanting or beveled upper surface 524. The member 154bconstitutes a cam for Wedging the locking member 154b. Numeral 526designates a cylindrical wedging member having a diameter less than thatof the bore 522 and having slanting slower surface 530 cornplementary tothe surface 524. Numeral 526 is laterally adjustable by screw 532 whichthreads into a lateral bore 534 and a diametrically opposed screw 536received in the threaded bore 538. By lateral adjustment of the screws,the locking member 526 can be adjusted laterally so that by engagementof its slanting face with the slanting face 524, the upper punch can belocked into position without disturbing its alignment. Numeral 540designates the threaded end of a positioning stem. This part and thelocking member 526 and the member 154b have an aligned bore, asdesignated at 542, for providing an air hole to clean out the upperpunch.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show modified forms of means for locking the core rods.The core rods in these figures are designated at 460g and 460b. The cam432 and handle 440 in FIG. 3a are like corresponding parts in FIG. 3.The core 46011 is held by a clamp ring 550 having a set screw 552 in itthat engages the core rod. On the upper side of the plate 380 there isattached the member 556 having a slot 552 through which the core rodextends, and the clamp ring 550 is just beneath this slotted member.Between the clamp ring and the cam 432 is an antifriction shoe 560 whichmay be flexible and which extends outwardly from the side wall of thecut-out 430, as shown. The cam 432 bears against this anti-friction shoeso as to not bear directly against the clamp ring 550 so that theposition of the clamp ring and core rod are not disturbed by frictionalengagement therewith.

FIG. 3b shows another modified form of clamping the core rod. The clampring 550 is like that of FIG. 3a resting against an extending ledge 566on the plate 38011. Numeral 568 designates a clamping member having aslot 570 at the end through which the core rod extends. The clampingmember 568 is clamped to the plate 380b by means of a threaded clampingstem 570 having a head 572 and on the end of which is a manual adjustingknob 574. Clamping member S68 has a ridge or shoulder 576 at its endwhich engages the upper surface of the plate 380b as shown. As will beapparent in this form of the invention, that the holding means for thecore rod, that is the clamp-ring 50 is simply clamped by the clampingmember 568.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will readily understand thenature of the invention, its construction and its operation and themanner in which it achieves and realizes all of the objects andadvantages as set forth in the foregoing, as well as the many additionaladvantages that are apparent from the detailed description.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of a preferred form of theinvention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than alimiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a compacting machine for making articles compacted from powder, incombination, a subpress adapted to be mounted in position for operationon a main press,

said subpress comprising anintegral member having a yoke shape providingtwo portions having in them accurately aligned bores, a die platenmounted in a position between the said portions, a slidable ram mountedin each of said bores, the rams being positioned whereby to be actuatedby the main press, and powder compacting tooling carried directly by thesaid rams, and cooperable with said die platen.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the said rams are provided withmeans for attaching them respectively to the upper and lower rams of amain press.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 including at least one powder compacting diecarried by said die platen.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 including a powder compacting tool carriedby at least one of said rams and cooperable with the die, holding meansfor the said tool providing for horizontal iioat of the tool while it isbeing centered, and means for applying an axial clamping force to thetool for locking it after it has been centered.

5. An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said clamping means comprises athreaded stem and axially movable means engageable with an end of thetool for clamping it.

6. Apparatus as in claim 4 including means comprising a rotatable camdisc operable upon rotation to apply an axial clamping force to thetool.

7. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said tool has a portion of largerdiameter and of limited axial extent, said holding means comprisingmembers having surfaces engageable with said portion of larger diameterfor holding the tool, one of said members being movable away from saidtool whereby to allow limited freedom of axial movement of the tool forcentering it in the die while setting up, the said member being movableinto a position in engagement with the said tool for locking it inposition.

8. In a powder compacting machine, in combination, a compacting tool,holding means for the tool comprising a member congurated to allowhorizontal float of the tool while setting up, and means for locking thetool by applying an axial clamping force to it after it has beencentered.

9. A combination as in claim 8 including an axially threaded stemmovable axially to claimp said tool.

10. A combination as in claim 9 including means to prevent rotation ofthe locking means.

11. A combination as in claim 8 comprising means including a rotary camoperable upon angular movement to apply axial clamping force to thetool.

12. A combination as in claim 11 including means positioned between thecam and tool to prevent displacement of the tool by friction.

13. A combination as in claim 8 wherein said tool has a portion oflarger diameter and limited axial extent, said holding means comprisingmembers having Surfaces engageable with said portion of larger diameterfor holding the tool, one of said members being movable away from saidtool whereby to allow limited freedom of axial movement of the tool forcentering it in a die while setting up, the said member being movableinto a position in engagement with the said tool for locking it inposition.

14. A combination as in claim 8 wherein said locking means comprisesmembers having interengaging surfaces so arranged that upon lateraladjustment of one member an axial locking force is produced.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,806,300 5/1931 Lernming 18-1652,127,994 8/1938 Davis et a1 18-165 2,168,075 8/1939 StOkes 18-16.5X3,172,182 3/1965 Assmann 18-16.5UX

I. HOWARD FLINT, JR., Primary Examiner

